Nectarine tree named ‘June Bright’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a nectarine tree,  Prunus persica,  and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in mid June, with first picking on Jun. 14, 2006. The fruit is uniformly large in size, mildly acidic and sweet in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone in type, very firm in texture, yellow in flesh color, and full dark red in skin color.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘JUNE BRIGHT’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, theinventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum,apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. The present invention relatesto a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, which has beendenominated varietally as ‘JUNE BRIGHT’. The present variety washybridized by me in 1996, grown as a seedling on its own root in mygreenhouse, and transplanted to a cultivated area of my experimentalorchard near Le Grand, Calif., in Merced County (San Joaquin Valley).

The variety was developed as a first generation cross using ‘DiamondPrincess’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,066) peach as the selected seed parentand ‘Rose Diamond’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,421) nectarine as the selectedpollen parent. A single tree from the stated cross was selected as theclaimed variety. Subsequent to origination of the present variety ofnectarine tree, I asexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in theexperimental orchard described above, and such reproduction of plant andfruit characteristics were true to the original plant in all respects.The reproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’(unpatented) rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible andtrue to type.

The present variety is similar to its selected seed parent, ‘DiamondPrincess’ peach, by producing fruit that is nearly globose in shape,yellow in flesh color, and full red in skin color, but is quitedistinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is nectarine instead ofpeach, that is clingstone instead of freestone, and that matures aboutfour weeks earlier.

The present variety is similar to its selected pollen parent, ‘RoseDiamond’ nectarine, by producing nectarines that are nearly globose inshape, firm in texture, and yellow in flesh color, but is distinguishedtherefrom by producing fruit that is larger in size, darker red in skincolor, and that mature about three weeks later.

The present variety is most similar to ‘Diamond Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 9,495) nectarine, by producing nectarines that mature in early tomid June, that are nearly globose in shape, very firm in texture, yellowin flesh color, and full red in skin color, but is distinguishedtherefrom by producing fruit that is larger in size and firmer intexture.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present variety is characterized by a medium size,vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. Thefruit matures under the ecological conditions described in mid June,with first picking on Jun. 14, 2006. The fruit is uniformly large insize, mildly acidic and sweet in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone intype, very firm in texture, yellow in flesh color, and fully dark red inskin color.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one fruitdivided transversely to the suture plane to reveal the flesh and stone,two insets to reveal buds and blossoms in various stages, variousleaves, and a typical tip shoot.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of firm ripe on Jun. 18, 2006, on the original tree during itstenth growing season. All major color code designations are by referenceto the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau of Standards. Commoncolor names are also used occasionally.

Tree

-   Size: Medium, reaching and maintaining a height of 10′ [3.05 m.] and    a spread of 10′ [3.05 m.] after ten growing seasons utilizing    typical dormant pruning.-   Vigor: Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and    fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of surplus    top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown    on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes.-   Growth: Spreading and dense.-   Form: Vase formed.-   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.-   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central    California climatic conditions, which typically include extended    periods of heat.-   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and    requires regular irrigation.-   Production: Very productive, thinning necessary.-   Fertility: Self-fertile.-   Bearing: Regular bearer, with no alternate bearing yet observed.-   Approximate chilling requirement: 700 hours.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 4¾″ [121 mm.]            after the tenth growing season.        -   Texture.—Shaggy.        -   Bark color.—A Moderate olive brown [95. m.OlBr] and Deep            brown [56. deep Br] variegation.        -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 8. Color:            Deep orange yellow [69. deep OY]. Typical Size: 3/16″ [4.8            mm.] to 7/16″ [11.1 mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped to elongated.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Diameter of limb is 2⅞″ [73 mm.] measured 12″ above            the crotch, 1¾″ [44 mm.] measured 12″ above the first fork.        -   Texture.—Smooth on first and second year wood, increasing            roughness with age.        -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gy./R]. 1st            Year Wood Underside: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].            Older Wood: Deep yellowish brown [75. deep yBr].        -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: More than 30 on second            year wood. Color: Moderate orange yellow [71. m.OY]. Typical            size: 1/32″ [0.8 mm.] to 3/32″ [2.4 mm.] on second year            wood. Shape: Elongated.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average Length: 5¾″ [146 mm.]. Average Width:            1¾″ [44 mm.].        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Form.—Elliptical.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Acute with an average angle of 75 to 85 degrees.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Dark yellowish green [137. d.yG].            Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].        -   Margin.—Finely serrate.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Vein color.—Light yellow green [119. l.YG].        -   Petiole.—Average Length: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Average Thickness:            1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Strong yellow green [117. s.YG].        -   Stipules.—Number: 2 to 6 per growing tip. Average Length:            5/16″ [7.9 mm.]. Color: Very yellow green [115. v.YG]            becoming Moderate reddish brown [43. m.rBr] with maturity.        -   Glands.—Number: Mostly 2 to 4. Position: Alternately            positioned on the petiole and the base of blade. Size:            Medium. Form: Reniform. Color: Strong yellow green [117.            s.YG] turning Moderate reddish brown [43. m.rBr] with age.        -   Leaf buds.—Pointed, medium in size.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California            winters.        -   Diameter.—Typically 5/16″ [7.9 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Length.—Typically ½″ [12.7 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Form.—Not appressed.        -   Surface.—Pubescent.        -   Color.—Light purplish pink [249. lpPk].-   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,    typically thirty or more stamens, five sepal and petal locations    alternately positioned.    -   -   Type.—Showy, large.        -   Average flower diameter.—1 13/16″ [46.0 mm.].        -   Number of petals.—Usually five, but 50% contain extra petal            fragments with 25% being full double blossoms.        -   Petal shape.—Circular to oval.        -   Petal margin.—Somewhat wavy.        -   Average petal diameter.— 11/16″ [17.5 mm.].        -   Average petal length.—¾″ [19.1 mm.].        -   Petal apex.—Rounded.        -   Petal base.—Rounded to somewhat truncate.        -   Petal color.—Pale pink [7. p.Pk] toward the apex, Light pink            [4. l.Pk] toward the base.        -   Anther color.—Moderate reddish orange [37. m.rO] over a            Light yellow [86. l.Y] center at bloom onset.        -   Stigma color.—Light greenish yellow [101. l.gY].        -   Sepal color.—Dark purplish red [259. d.pR].        -   Sepal length.—¼″ [6 mm.].        -   Sepal width.— 3/16″ [5 mm.].        -   Average pistil length.— 11/16″ [17.5 mm.].        -   Average stamen length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Blooming period.—Medium, two days after ‘Spring Bright’            (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,507) nectarine.        -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Feb. 27, 2006.        -   Date of full bloom.—Mar. 9, 2006.        -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient            temperature.        -   Number per cluster.—1 to 3 with single flowers most common.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe, Jun. 18, 2006.-   Date of first picking: Jun. 14, 2006.-   Date of last picking: Jun. 23, 2006.-   Size: Uniform, large.    -   -   Average diameter axially.—2 13/16″ [71.4 mm.].        -   Average diameter across cheek plane.—2⅞″ [73.0 mm.].        -   Average diameter across future plane.—2⅞″ [73.0 mm.].        -   Typical weight.—7.0 ounces [198 grams].-   Form: Globose, slightly asymmetrical.    -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Oval.        -   Transverse section through diameter.—Round.-   Suture: A sharp groove near the base, shallow along the sides, sharp    near the apex, and terminating into a slight depression just past    the pistil point.-   Ventral surface: Rounded, mostly lipped throughout.-   Lips: Somewhat unequal.-   Cavity: Flaring, elongated in the suture plane, suture showing on    one side, light yellow [86. l.Y] stem markings typical.    -   -   Depth.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Breadth.—1¼″ [31.8 mm.].-   Base: Truncate, but cordate if viewed parallel to the suture.-   Apex: Rounded to slightly cordate.-   Pistil point: Both apical and oblique, short.-   Stem: Medium.    -   -   Average length.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Average width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Astringent.        -   Tendency to crack.—Slight in wet season.        -   Color.—Very deep red [14. v.deep R] over a Moderate red [15.            m.R] background with moderate Light yellow [86. l.Y]            freckling toward the apex.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—Brilliant Yellow [83. brill.Y] with the slightest bit            of Strong red [12. s.R] flecking next to the skin.        -   Surface of pit cavity.—Light yellow [86 l.Y] fibers broken            when twisted from the stone.        -   Amygdalin.—Abundant to moderate.        -   Juice.—Moderate, rich.        -   Texture.—Firm, crisp, melting.        -   Fibers.—Abundant, fine.        -   Ripens.—Earlier at the apex.        -   Flavor.—Acidic and sweet, typically 13 brix.        -   Aroma.—Moderate.        -   Eating quality.—Good.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Form: Oval.-   Hilum: Narrow, oblong.-   Base: Straight, rounded.-   Apex: Acuminate, with an average tip angle of 70 degrees and a tip    of length ⅛″ [3.2 mm.].-   Sides: Slightly unequal.-   Surface: Regularly furrowed horizontally near the apex and along the    ventral edge, pitted toward the base.-   Ridges: Rounded.-   External color: Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY].-   Pit wall color when cracked: Light orange yellow [70. l.OY].-   Cavity surface color: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr].-   Average pit wall thickness: ¼″ [6.4 mm.].-   Average width: ¼″ [31.8 mm.].-   Average length: 1⅝″ [41.3 mm.].-   Average breadth: ¾″ [19.1 mm.].-   Tendency to split: Slight.-   Kernel:    -   -   Form.—Oval.        -   Skin color.—Brilliant yellow [83. brill.Y] when first            removed.        -   Pellicle color.—Grayish yellow [90. gy.Y].        -   Vein color.—Grayish yellow [90. gy.Y].        -   Taste.—Sweet.        -   Viable.—Yes.        -   Average width.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].        -   Average length.—¾″ [19.1 mm.].        -   Amygdalin.—Scant.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good. Fruit quality observed to remain in good    condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°    Celsius].-   Shipping quality: Good.-   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.-   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Other Notes

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantially asillustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Diamond Bright’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,495) nectarine by producing nectarines thatmature in early to mid June, that are nearly globose in shape, very firmin texture, yellow in flesh color, and full red in skin color, but isdistinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is larger in size andfirmer in texture.